We're up to Part II in our 2023 AFL midfield rankings, with the next six teams assessed and ranked ahead of the new season.

Across three instalments we'll rank each AFL club's midfield list, breaking down the competition in thirds.

Here is Part II of our midfield rankings, covering 12th to 7th.

SEE PART I OF OUR MIDFIELD RANKINGS. 

4. (9th) Port Adelaide

Ken Hinkley's midfield brigade is home to a perfect balance of young stars, household veterans and primed ball winners that will all play a part in Port Adelaide's plans to return to premiership contention this year.

The Power's midfield ensemble was further strengthened with the addition of former No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis through the trade window, with the South Adelaide product set to be a damaging acquisition for Hinkley to utilise.

The second-year midfield bull won't be thrown onto Port Adelaide's top line of midfielders, with breakout star Connor Rozee and senior duo Travis Boak and Ollie Wines to lead the way once again.

Rozee was a standout for the Alberton club last season on his way to a top-five finish in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year voting, ahead of Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps.

Wines, a Brownlow winner himself, will tussle with Rozee to be the headline act in Hinkley's midfield, while Boak continues to defy the odds as after averaging over 26 disposals, 5.8 clearances and 11.6 contested possessions per game last year - his 16th with the club.

The aforementioned Horne-Francis will learn plenty from the likes of Boak and Wines, while Zak Butters is another that could take a big step in 2023 as he too looks set on a part to stardom.

The fifth-year midfielder can slot onto a wing or at half-forward to aid rotations, with his endurance and ball-winning capabilities among Butters' best traits.

Tackling machine Willem Drew and defensive stalwart Dan Houston will also move through the middle off the back of career-best campaigns last year, adding more layers to Port Adelaide's powerful midfield group.

Where they struggled for stability last season was in their ruck department, with a season-ending shoulder injury to Scott Lycett forcing forward Jeremy Finlayson into the middle.

The former Giant did a commendable job in Lycett's absence, but with the latter now back in the mix for 2023, the Power's tantalising potential could reach great heights.